Bumper crowd salutes Cheltenham-bound Maria in her Listed-race romp
A big holiday crowd of 4,200 rose to applaud the performance of Maria's Benefit all the way up the long run-in as she completed her four-timer in breathtaking style to heighten Cheltenham Festival hopes.
While Rich Ricci and Willie Mullins have annexed the new Trull House Stud Mares' Novice Hurdle at the Festival with Limini and Let's Dance in the first two runnings bookmaker Paddy Power was impressed enough to go 8-1 from 20-1 about the winner behind favourite Apples Shakira.
The nonchalant front-running and fluent jumping of Maria's Benefit did for the Queen's unbeaten Sunshade who paid for trying to go after her to finish third behind Boxing Day winner If You Say Run.
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